tracked leaders on inner, 6th approaching 3 out, ridden in 5th after next, kept on one pace in straight
rear of mid-division, some headway approaching 3 out, no extra from next
mid-division, 11th halfway, no extra approaching 2 out
never a factor
never a factor
always prominent, led 6th, pressed from 2 out, kept on well under pressure, headed approaching last, no impression run-in
chased leaders, 7th halfway, no extra from 3 out
prominent, led briefly 5th, ridden in 3rd approaching 3 out, no extra from next
mid-division on outer, 9th halfway, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
prominent racing keenly, mistake 5th, 5th halfway, 4th 2 out, soon no extra, eased when beaten in straight, tailed off
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway into 4th approaching last, kept on well run-in
towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, kept on in straight without threatening
never better than mid-division
rear of mid-division, some headway 3 out, went 6th after next, kept on in straight without reaching leaders
fell 2nd
never a factor, behind when fell last
always behind, tailed off
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 5th next, challenged from early straight, led before last, kept on well
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, smooth headway into close 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and soon no impression entering straight, 3rd at last, weakened run-in
soon led, headed 5th, remained prominent, 3rd and driven along 2 out, no extra in straight
There have been plenty of shocks in this over the years but Willie Mullins won it a year ago with the fancied Sesanta and is mob-handed today. DEUTSCHLAND was racing in novice chases a year ago and won one here over two miles in May. He's since been kept to the flat and over hurdles and though well beaten when favourite for the Coral Cup at Cheltenham he's better than that run suggested. He could prove the pick of the Mullins sextet and beat off a strong challenge from Nicky Henderson's progressive Radium, who produced his best effort to date when runner-up to Pause And Clause in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. Farringdon was beaten four lengths when conceding 10lbs to Beroni here in December and there is no real reason why the placings should be reversed even on this faster ground. Edward O'Grady's front-runner Clicksnmortar will set a merry gallop and if the going remains on the fast side could take some catching.
Bahrain Storm (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Prominent main group, headway 3 out, still in touch when hampered next, not recover, soon weakened, 18th of 28, 30l behind Thousand Stars (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Farringdon 4-1 (11-10) Towards rear, pushed along briefly 6 out, closed under pressure after 4 out, 6th before 2 out, 2nd when slight mistake last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Questions Answered (10-1) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 hvy.
Radium (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, 7th 2 out, stayed on to chase winner before last, stumbled soon after last, held flat, 2nd of 24, 3 1/2l behind Pause And Clause (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Moville (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 6th, improved into 4th approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 12, 10l behind Un Hinged (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl hvy.
Tawaagg 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, progress 2 out, 6th and staying on when mistake and pecked last, no extra, 8th of 12, 11l behind Un Hinged (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl hvy.
Montana Slim (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, mid-division, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 7th of 24, 15l behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Lucky At Last (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up mainly 4th, closer at halfway, lost touch approaching straight, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Footy Facts (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hdl in Mar.
Rocco's Hall (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Mid-division on inside, ridden 8th, weakened after 3 out, 19th of 24, well behind Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Time Electric (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Beroni (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Mid-division on inner, 9th 4 out, closer in 5th entering straight, soon ridden, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 17, 22l behind Whinstone Boy (9-11) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs hvy in Jan.
Deutschland (USA) 7-1fav (10-9) Mid-division, some headway after 3 out, never near leaders, 12th of 28, 17l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Hampshire Express (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, strongly pressed from before 2 out, clear after last, stayed on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl in Mar beating Roi Du Mee (11-12) by 7l, 9 ran.
Silk Affair (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Buena Vista (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
C'est Ca 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, improved into 3rd after 3 out, ridden from next, 2nd and no impression from before last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Un Hinged (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl hvy.
Silverhand (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, hit 3rd, not clear run approaching 3 out, headway soon after, disputing 5th when blundered last, no impression, 6th of 22, 5l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Sky Hall (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 6th before 5th, no impression and kept on same pace straight, 11th of 25, 18l behind Jigalo (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd.
Clicksnmortar (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Quickly away and soon clear, reduced advantage 5 out, headed when mistake 3 out, weakened straight, 8th of 13, well behind Oscar Dan Dan (11-6) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl gd in Oct.
Grangeclare Gold (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, 6th and progress 3 out, 5th before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 11, 12l behind Voler La Vedette (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mrs hdl (listed) (4yo+) in Dec.
Dorset Square (IRE) 9-4fav (10-2) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, headway in 4th 3 out, improved in 3rd and slight mistake 2 out, ridden to challenge last, soon led, kept on well under pressure close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb beating Dancing Hero (10-4) by hd, 16 ran.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 8-11fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed at last, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Un Hinged (11-12) at Navan 2m hdl hvy in Jan.
Siege Of Ennis (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Towards rear, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace straight, 8th of 24, 23l behind Sivota (10-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (8Evens23) (4yo+) gd.
Captain Cole (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Soon chased leaders, closed into 2nd 3 out, led before next, soon headed, led again before last, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Scholars Mate (10-11) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
